( open )

[baguablade]

Who: Cain (baguablade) & you!
What: event catch-all - investigating, hunting down bad guys, making (bad) medicinal soup, whatever
When: post attack
Where: Olympia
Warning(s): none

( a : no hunting like the hunting of man )

[ The group gathered in the market is strangely subdued, even for the wariness that's fallen over the place after the attack. There's something going around, glazed-over eyes and jerky movements, oddly shuffling feet as the group makes its way through the district. Some of the men and women bump into things and seem not to notice; others are laughing and chatting far too loudly, stilted — an obvious act.

At the center of the group is a man, bright-eyed and alert, the only one looking anything resembling normal. His sleeves are pulled down, but as he turns, one rides up, revealing a large "M" on his wrist.

One of the Shady Man's associates — and while the group hasn't noticed yet, sharp-eyed individuals might pick out Cain following along behind the group, taking a meandering path through the market as he trails their steps. He seems relaxed and at ease, but his gaze is sharp, watching the man, and his hand never strays far from the hilt of his sword.

Whether you're just passing by, doing your own shopping, or whether you're hunting the tattooed man, too, straying too close to the group has Cain abruptly stepping up behind you, grabbing your arm, and pulling you back into the shadows of an alley. ]

Hey. [ Low, hissed with urgency. ] Don't get near them, or you'll get caught, too.

( b : painted full of tongues )

[ It's not exactly the nicest of bars in town, paint peeling, tables uneven, the lighting dim and flickering, suspicious stains on the floor. But it is exactly the sort of bar that men who've recently helped set off a virus-laden bomb in the center of the city might frequent, an establishment where the drink is cheap, the customers are unfriendly, and no one asks too many questions.

Cain, of course, has come here to ask far too many questions.

He's nursing a drink (untouched, he keeps pouring a little bit of it out when it seems like no one's watching) and listening to the very interesting conversation going on nearby — the conversation between two women with "M" tattoos on their wrists.

Meet his eyes, catch onto what he's doing — if you approach him, he'll smile at you like an old friend. ]

There you are. What do you want to drink?

( c : toil and trouble )

[ The soup Cain's cooking can't exactly be called soup when it's neon-blue and roiling, letting off faintly pinkish steam. With the large cast-iron stewpot he's making it in, it looks more like a witch's brew in a cauldron than soup. Also it somehow smells like both fresh laundry and wet dog. Mysterious, but hopefully something to help with the equally mysterious illness going around after the market attack — the large chunk of also mysterious sea creature tooth that he's ground a bit of and used as seasoning might help, considering its medicinal properties. Or it might not, but either way, Cain stripped down to pants, undershirt, and under-gauntlets and wielding a wooden stirring spoon over the cheerfully bubbling not-soup is certainly a sight.

And hard to ignore, since he's cooking it in the kitchen of his apartment with the windows thrown wide open. Anyone passing by could easily catch sight of the cloud of pink vapors, catch a whiff of the (very strong) smell, or even hear Cain talking to himself. ]

It's probably not enough to reanimate the dead...

[ You might even pass by just in time to hear the loud roar of something combusting. Cain's startled yelp and the gooey blue soup going everywhere is pretty hard to miss. ]

( d : wildcard )

( If there's anything else you'd like to plot out with me, I'm available at idelva or through PMs! )

Comments

a

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt is desperate to find and catch someone with an M. If he catches and brings someone in, then perhaps they can tell the truth and his friends could be found innocent. The bounty could be removed and they could all get together and hunt down who had hurt these people, just like Overwatch of the past.

There's just one very large problem. Reinhardt himself.

He's not stealthy and he's not very good at following someone quietly. He stands out like a sore thumb, head and shoulders almost everyone else and damn broad too. Kind of hard to miss is when a huge old man is trailing you. Especially one that wants nothing more than to call the M Tattooed man out and demand he turn himself in NOW.

It's likely a good thing that his arms is grabbed and pulled aside. Because he's so focused on the person he's hunting, he doesn't dig in his heels. He's surprised enough that he can be dragged, though it's rather odd to have someone so much shorter than him hissing at him in shadows that probably don't really hide Reinhardt as well as they should. ]

I don't care of I get caught. I will be doing the catching once I'm close enough. I have to capture him. And you're giving them a chance to get away!

[baguablade]

[ Cain glances at the group, judging their pace. With how slow they're walking — strolling, really — he can take the time to keep this man from walking right into the trap the target has so neatly laid out. The target, after all, is in no hurry, not when every minute in the open is another chance for him to snap up another unwary passerby. ]

You're the one who'll get caught. [ Faintly exasperated, but Cain does drop his hold. He's not going to blow his cover if the guy wants to go charging out and make a scene. ] Don't you think there's something strange about all of this?

[ He tips his head toward the milling crowd — the glassy stares, the shuffling feet, the too-loud conversations, all of it distinctly not quite right. ]

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt is glad that the young man dropped his hand. He didn't like being stopped. He wanted to bring those people to justice. The large old man is shifting already, looking around the corner to take in the situation again. Too many people for him to just charge. He might take out innocent bystanders which is something he couldn't bare to do. ]

They could try. I think I could take them on! They are cowards, hiding behind the people.

[ The people who were indeed acting very strangely. ]

Is this sorcery? If they are doing this to these people, we have to go now! We have to free these people! [ That's right. We. Reinhardt is totally going to try and drag Cain into this too. ]

[baguablade]

Of course we do. But whatever it is [ spell or some sort of special ability, Cain hasn't been able to discover yet ] won't be undone by charging out there. He'll just use all those people as shields.

[ There's no guarantee that the spell, if it is that, will lift its hold if the man's unconscious. And with how the crowd is acting, he could easily turn them from shields into hostages. Cain won't risk it, not yet. He doesn't want to make a rash move and get someone hurt.

The big guy is definitely raring to go, but maybe he can be convinced to see reason and take a more cautious approach...? Well, Cain doesn't have high hopes, but he has to at least try. ]

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt's jaw clenches and there's a look of utter contempt and disgust in his single eye. He hates it. He hates when innocent people are used as shields. It's not right and it ties his hands. He can't do anything if it means some innocent person might get hurt because of him ]

Such cowardess. They are no men! What if I come out and distract them! If they focus on me then you can come at them and stop this sorcery!

We cannot just let them do this! We have to let it be known that this place and these people are protected!

b.)

[uwe]

I didn't expect to come across a familiar face here.

[ siegfried had much the same thought process as cain... perhaps they were more similar than they had initially believed. with everything in such chaos all around them, some had to remain cool headed. collecting information was perhaps siegfried's specialty now; even if his ability to be inconspicuous is certainly questionable. ]

Though a drink doesn't sound like a bad idea.

[ if cain looks close enough he might notice that... siegfried looks slightly paler than usual, but it's a bit hard to notice under the dim lights of the bar and while the man still goes around in full armor (sans helmet). ]

[baguablade]

[ Well, Cain can't expect a tiger to change its stripes so quickly. At least the helmet is off and the bar is dark enough that the black armor almost blends in. Almost. The patrons of the fine establishment are at least a shady enough sort that they're not looking to stick their noses into anyone else's business for fear of having their own business dragged into the light. Still, as far as inconspicuous goes, Siegfried's... well, he's trying.

With an amused quirk of a grin, Cain signals to the bartender, then slides over the offered mug of... it's probably ale. There's a reason he's not drinking his. ]

What, did you forget we were meeting? [ He cocks his head towards the two women — play along. And as he does, he takes the opportunity to do a once over of Siegfried. He does look a little pale, even for him. But with the sickness going around, Cain's gotten used to looking out for such tells. ] Ah, how mean, I was almost stood up.

[uwe]

[ though he doesn't always go around in his armor, in this case it's a choice - for this kind of work, his armor is essentially his uniform. it would feel strange to be without it. in this case, it just also has the unexpected benefit of hiding the fact that... well... he doesn't look to be in the greatest condition. ]

My apologies. I've been a bit... distracted lately.

[ he'll at least take a sip of his drink, but only that. they're on the clock right now, after all. sort of. ]

I'll be sure to make it up to you somehow.

[baguablade]

I'm counting on it, then.

[ He lifts his mug, letting the drink slosh over the rim in a show of drunkenness. Just one more person who's had a bit too much to drink, completely harmless. Siegfried's the only one close enough to see that his eyes aren't glaze and his cheeks aren't flushed — none of the physiological signs to go along with his act. ]

What's gotten you so distracted? [ It's a genuine question, a probing attempt to determine if there's really something wrong. ] Usually you're sharp as a tack.

c

[atwo]

[ this might be a good reason that she doesn't have a sense of smell. there's no way she would enjoy whatever cain is doing. she had been wanting to check up on him, to make sure he had been okay along with a few other people she has met before.

raising an eyebrow, she tilts her head to the side. ]

Cain, what are you doing?

[baguablade]

[ Cain pauses in stirring... something into the soup (it looks a little too acid-green to really be something that should be going into food) to lean out the window and give A2 a cheery little wave with his wooden spoon. It sends a few drops of the "soup" flying; they hiss when they hit the ground. ]

Yo~. I'm trying to make a curative. [ Sensing an opportunity — she's a machine, it probably won't kill her, right? — he offers: ] Wanna taste-test for me?

[atwo]

No.

[ The words spill out almost too quickly, but she noticed those droplets. ] I feel as if what you're making will be ... ideal. [ and it might end up burning her insides. ]

[baguablade]

[ A2's really not a very good liar, huh. It's very hard to take her words at face value when she's so quick to avoid being a taste tester, and when she's obviously searching for a word for the soup that isn't hazardous.

Cain lifts a spoonful of the soup and laughs as it bubbles even away from the heat. ]

You mean dangerous, right? It's fine, I think I got the recipe wrong.

b

[shouted]

Definitely not whatever the hell you're having.

[ He sits across from him with his own drink in hand, a pointed look in his direction because he's seen him waste a perfectly good drink. He returns his smile with an eyebrow raise, the only kind of acknowledgement he'll give to a stranger. ]

How long were you gonna stay there waiting for me until I showed up?

[ He knows well enough that there's something interesting going on here, and as much as he hates all the chaos going on he still wants to be in the loop. Not that he'd outright say that, or go out of his way on his own-- making this convenient for him in many ways. ]

[baguablade]

[ Rude. But the man's playing along, so Cain can forgive that. He returns an easy smile, as though they're old friends and this is simply familiar banter, crotchety and meaningless. ]

At least another fifteen minutes. I know how you never show up on time, after all.

[ A little dry, pointed in his response. But Cain still nudges out a stool with his foot and flags down the bartender to get the man a drink. As requested, it's darker than the terrible ale Cain has in his mug, but beyond that, Cain really can't say much more considering the quality of the establishment. ]

b

[shikomizue]

[Fortunately for Takasugi, bars preferred by culprits and conspirators fall into his repertoire. He'd drank here before, predating the explosive attack, and he settles back into the atmosphere easily. Almost like he's a terrorist too.

It doesn't really matter what Cain is doing - seeing such an 'honest' man in an establishment like this is enough to catch Takasugi's interest. Giving up his spot near the end of the bar, he doesn't wait until their eyes meet to approach.

Though once they do, he holds the stare until he's close enough to speak without needing to raise his voice over the din of the other patrons.]

I'll have a shot of rum. [To start. 'Start' - he's already been drinking lightly. Takasugi settles in the seat next to Cain, leaning on the bar to flag down the bartender.] Did I leave you waiting? [Sure, he'll play along.]

[baguablade]

[ Ah. When Takasugi ("Tani Umenosuke," though Cain doubts more and more that that's his real name) catches his eye, Cain goes still for a split second in surprise — and dismay. "Tani" isn't exactly his favorite person, has him feeling like his hackles should be up, but... well, if he wants to actually learn anything, he can't make a scene.

Which is why Cain sighs, giving Takasuki a faintly exasperated look, but still nods to the bartender. Looks like he's buying a shot of rum. ]

Oh, you did. [ His voice is dry, just a little sardonic. They both know Cain can't really afford to take back his invitation now. ] A few more minutes, and I was gonna ditch you.

[shikomizue]

[Obvious dismay is still one of the friendlier ways he's been greeted, really - Takasugi's smile doesn't waver. The fact that Cain didn't immediately excuse himself after so clearly not caring for his presence means that, for some reason, he can't.

And he's fully intending to take advantage of that.]

Then we'd both be left looking pretty pathetic, drinking alone. [Takasugi almost laughs, and diverts his attention for a moment as his shot arrives. He curls his finger around the base of the small glass, but doesn't drink yet.] Have one with me.

[baguablade]

[ Cain's smile tilts a bit toward frozen; he's sure that Takasugi's noticed how he's making a point of not drinking what's in his mug, and yet here he is, trying to engineer a situation where Cain doesn't have any choice but to take his own shot if he's going to keep his cover intact. He gives Takasugi a pointed look, then gestures to the bartender. ]

Wouldn't want that, it'd be too sad. [ The bartender produces another shot glass for Cain and he lifts it, waiting for Takasugi to join him. ] To friends, and not drinking alone.

[ His gaze darts past Takasugi as the women at the other table raise their voices in raucous laughter. ]

C

[inaurare]

No, but you may well finish your guests off enough to join them.

[from the street - he's not been so presumptuous as to invite himself in, but the pink clouds and... unique smell have certainly grabbed his attention enough that he is lingering out of curiosity and confusion]

Perhaps... it might be for the better that you start again.

[baguablade]

Huh, you think so?

[ He doesn't mind the interruption at all. All the better to have someone to try his efforts out on! But Cain does take a moment to wave a cloud of pink steam away from his face before he looks out the window to see exactly who it is that's talking to him. ]

I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, though. [ Idly, he taps his wooden spoon against his palm as he considers. ] It might be a little strong, but in this case, too much is usually better than too little...

[ Not that he's explained what it is he's doing or anything, of course. ]

[inaurare]

I think that depends on who you're making it for.

[hello, yes. There's a young man under your window but he too thinks this is a weird circumstance as he gestures for the door]

...might I come in?

[baguablade]

Hm? [ Oh, right, conversations through windows, only practical in silly romance stories. Cain waves his spoon. ] Oh, sure. [ A little dryly, he adds: ] With an introduction.

[ He goes back to studying his concoction. By the time the young man makes his way inside, he's abandoned the spoon for a large knife and is carefully carving a sliver off of the huge chunk of tooth — it has a few similar scraped lines on it already, indicating this isn't the first time Cain's gone through this process.

Only then does he answer the rest of what the man's said. ]

It's a curative, for those who've fallen ill. [ The "soup" burbles, and he adds, wryly: ] Well, it's meant to be.

a-ish?

[defenses]

[ sitting back and letting events run their course had never been vane's strong suit. if anything, even if he's on a completely separate track than everyone else (and subsequent to that, even if it's horrifically lost in the process)— he enjoyed the physical comfort of being in action. he felt sort of restless otherwise. aimless, too. not to state that he wasn't presently in such a case.

as it stands, he's been following after people. maybe not even the right ones. if anything, vane wasn't really proficient in being able to define who was suspicious or not. he sort of went on whim. sort of follows everyone and everything that he viewed as even marginally questionable? if anything, he suspected he'd pick up on a thing or two in the process. but, due to his lack of exposure to such activities, he isn't exactly subtle.

he doesn't really try to hide himself either. it's why when he runs into cain, he almost yells his name out on instinct. ] Ca— [ but, maybe detecting on mood alone, or the fact that cain was... hiding? he slowly draws his arm down from almost waving to him.

please teach him how this is done... ]

[baguablade]

[ It also helps that as soon as Vane's within reach, Cain practically — not practically, actually does — leap to slap a hand over Vane's mouth. And drag his very noticeably waving arm back down to his side. Furtively, he glances over his shoulder, hoping that no one's noticed them.

The crowd, of course, hasn't, too busy having their puppet strings tugged, but Cain's quarry... He's looking around suspiciously, trying to pinpoint the source of that burst of sound. ]

In here. Quietly.

[ A low whisper, and Cain tugs Vane behind one of the market stalls, pulling him down to a low crouch, all without removing his hand from Vane's mouth. Just in case. ]